Originally Posted by
flydrive
"ATP circ. apch. - VMC only" and "<type> circ. apch. - VMC only" are separate limitations; it's possible to have either, none, or both.
If you have a type rating without a circling limitation issued at any level (assuming with an instrument rating...that's a whole other can of worms) then that limitation will never be placed on that type following subsequent training and checks. So, If you show up to airline training with a commercial certificate and a, let's say, Citation type rating, then when you finish, you will have an ATP certificate with circling limitations on the ATP level and whatever airliner type you trained for, but your Citations type rating will remain unrestricted.
The original poster has described a type rating with no circling restrictions, on his commercial certificate; upon issuance of the ATP, circling restrictions were added, hence, the question.
The error was adding the circling restrictions. the type should have been placed on his ATP-level pilot certificate, with no circling restrictions.